The Carbon Cycle Game
Teacher Guide
Summary:
By rolling a die, students will simulate a molecule of carbon’s movement throughout various sinks and sources within
the carbon cycle.
Objectives:

Students will understand that carbon is critical to the biosphere and must continue cycling to support life on earth.

Students will describe the movement of carbon within the carbon cycle.

Students will understand and be able to identify carbon sources, sinks, and release agents in the carbon cycle.

Students will evaluate the relative timing of movement through various sinks and sources.
Materials:
o
o
o
o
7 Dice
7 Station Signs
7 Station Movement Directions for Before Human Interference
7 Station Movement Directions for After Human Interference
 The sheets for each station may be placed back-to-back in a plastic sleeve that can be flipped from
“Before” to “After”
o Data record sheets for each student
Alternatively, “electronic dice” may be used. There are available programs for this online, or you might cut the
number sheets included at the end of this exercise in strips for students to use.
Background:
The movement of carbon through various aspects of the natural environment is the focus of much scientific
research. Global warming and climate change can be attributed to the increased amount of heat-trapping gases, such as
carbon dioxide. Students must develop an understanding of how carbon moves through the environment in order to
appreciate the complexity of developing solutions to address problems associated with climate change. In addition,
since anthropogenic influences impact how much carbon is reintroduced to the active carbon cycle, students should
recognize that human actions affect the environment.
Warm-Up:
o Discuss where carbon can be found on Earth.
o Discuss the role of carbon in each of the places identified.
The Activity:
1. Tell students that they are going to be carbon atoms moving through the carbon cycle.
2. Categorize the places carbon can be found into these stations: Atmosphere, Plants, Animals, Soil, Ocean, Deep
Ocean, and Fossil Fuels. Point out the areas of the room that are labeled with each station and contain the
directions for movement from that station.
3. Explain that for the first round, they will be simulating the carbon cycle before human disturbance, about 6,000
years ago.
4. Assign students to each station randomly and evenly. Have students identify the different places carbon could
go from that given station. Discuss the processes that allow for the transfer of carbon between stations and
identify sources and sinks of carbon.
5. Students should make a line and roll the die individually to follow the directions for movement from (or
retention at) each station. Remind them that they are representing atoms of carbon moving through the carbon
cycle and that they should record their movements on the data sheet.
6. Allow only a few minutes for this round of the game. Students will quickly realize the routine movements (or
non-movements) in the “natural” carbon cycle. On a whiteboard or chart paper, record the number of carbon
atoms (students) at each station.
7. Replace the Station Movement cards with the After Human Interference cards. Have the students start from
their present station and continue playing the game. Continue the simulation for a sufficient enough time to
eliminate all of the carbon atoms from the Fossil Fuels station.
Wrap-Up and Action Plan:
o Have students compare the movement of carbon before and after human interference.
o Be sure to discuss what has happened to the Fossil Fuels as well as any changes in the number of atoms in
certain stations. Refer back to the carbon atom location record from the end of “Before Human Interference.”
o Discuss the effects that these differences could have on climate change.
o Ask if there are any actions humans could take to make the carbon cycle return to a more natural state. Discuss
the actions that returned carbon to plants or sequestered carbon in sinks.
o Develop an action plan that students could take in their everyday lives to reduce anthropogenic disturbances to
the carbon cycle.
Assessment:
o Rate students’ understanding on their responses from class or group discussions.
o Assign a follow-up activity:
1. Role-play the motion of carbon throughout the carbon cycle.
2. Write the complete life story of the travels of your carbon atom. Accompany by illustrations.
3. Write a process-analysis essay on the movement of carbon throughout the carbon cycle.
4. Write a comparison-contrast essay on the carbon cycle before and since human interference.
5. Teach the game to a younger child.
The Natural Carbon Cycle
Before Human Interference, About 6,000 Years Ago
THE ATMOSPHERE
You are currently a molecule of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The atmosphere is a blanket of gases that
surround Earth. Most of these gases, including carbon dioxide, act like a greenhouse. They allow light to pass
toward Earth, but they trap heat before it leaves Earth’s atmosphere. Therefore, these gases are called “Heat
Trapping Gases.” They are very important to life on Earth, but too much of a good thing isn’t always a good
thing…
If you roll…
Then you …
1
Stay in the atmosphere. Much of the carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere circulates through the atmosphere and does not interact
with the other sources or sinks of carbon.
2
Go to plant. You are used by a plant in photosynthesis. The carbon
you provide can be used to create the plant’s structures.
3
Stay in the atmosphere. Much of the carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere circulates through the atmosphere and does not interact
with the other sources or sinks of carbon.
4
Stay in the atmosphere. Much of the carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere circulates through the atmosphere and does not interact
with the other sources or sinks of carbon.
5
Go to surface ocean. About 12% of carbon in the atmosphere is
mixed into the shallow ocean. This carbon dioxide can be used by
photosynthetic algae or stored in the water.
6
Go to plant. You are used by a plant in photosynthesis. The carbon
you provide can be used to create the plant’s structures.
The Natural Carbon Cycle
Before Human Interference, About 6,000 Years Ago
PLANTS
You are currently a carbon compound in the structure of the plant. The plant has taken you in from the air and
has created carbohydrates through the process of photosynthesis. Some of the carbon is emitted back to the
atmosphere from the plant’s leaves through respiration at times when the plant is not photosynthesizing.
Sometimes, carbon is stored as carbohydrates within the structure of the plant.
If you roll…
Then you …
1
Go to soil. The tree shed its leaves, and you are an atom of carbon
from those dead leaves that enters the soil.
2
Stay in plant. You are a carbon atom in the tree’s trunk, a part that
will not likely be removed or destroyed.
3
Go to animal. The leaves and berries that the plant produced
contain your carbon atom. You will be processed into structures in
the animal that consumed you.
4
Stay in plant. You are a carbon atom in the tree’s roots, a part that
will not likely be removed or destroyed.
5
Stay in plant. You are a carbon atom in the tree’s branches, a part
that will not likely be removed or destroyed.
6
Stay in plant. You are a carbon atom in the tree’s trunk, a part that
will not likely be removed or destroyed.
The Natural Carbon Cycle
Before Human Interference, About 6,000 Years Ago
ANIMALS
You are currently a molecule of carbohydrate in an animal. You have been consumed by an animal to help it
grow and develop. The animal can either store you away in its body structures, or release you back to the
atmosphere as it uses the carbohydrate you’re stored in as energy.
If you roll…
Then you …
1
Stay in animal. You are consumed by a predator animal that has a
long life. The carbon atom is stored as fat in the animal.
2
Go to soil. The animal that consumed you died and your carbon
atom is returned to the soil.
3
Go to atmosphere. The animal that consumed you respired
(breathed) you out as carbon dioxide.
4
Stay in animal. You are consumed by a vulnerable prey animal that
is, in turn, consumed by a predator animal. You are stored as
protein in the muscles of the predator.
5
Go to atmosphere. The animal that consumed you respired
(breathed) you out as carbon dioxide.
6
Go to atmosphere. The animal that consumed you respired
(breathed) you out as carbon dioxide.
The Natural Carbon Cycle
Before Human Interference, About 6,000 Years Ago
SOIL
You are currently a molecule of carbon dioxide in the soil. Once you are here, you generally do not move
around too much and are stored away. If you’re stored long enough, you can join together with other carbon
molecules to create fossil fuels.
If you roll…
Then you …
1
Stay in the soil. Much of the carbon in the soil is stored and does
not interact with the other sources or sinks of carbon.
2
Go to plant. You are used by a plant in photosynthesis. The
carbon you provide can be used to create the plant’s structures.
3
Go to fossil fuels. Your carbon molecule has been in the soil so
long that it binds together with other carbon molecules to create
fossil fuels.
4
Go to the atmosphere. A tiny decomposer uses your carbon atom
as it breaks down the detritus in the soil.
5
Stay in the soil. Much of the carbon in the soil is stored and does
not interact with the other sources or sinks of carbon.
6
Go to fossil fuels. Your carbon molecule has been in the soil so
long that it binds together with other carbon molecules to create
fossil fuels.
The Natural Carbon Cycle
Before Human Interference, About 6,000 Years Ago
SURFACE OCEAN
You are currently a molecule of carbon dioxide in the surface ocean. The surface ocean mixes around due to
ocean currents, but does not mix well with the deeper ocean. Most carbon that enters the surface ocean
remains mixed into the surface ocean waters, but can move to different sources or sinks.
If you roll…
Then you …
1
Go to deep ocean. Your carbon atom was part of an ocean
organism that has died and has sunk to the bottom of the ocean.
2
Stay in the surface ocean. Much of the carbon dioxide in the ocean
circulates through the surface ocean and does not interact with the
other sources or sinks of carbon.
3
Go to deep ocean. Your carbon atom was part of an ocean
organism that has died and has sunk to the bottom of the ocean.
4
Stay in the surface ocean. Much of the carbon dioxide in the ocean
circulates through the surface ocean and does not interact with the
other sources or sinks of carbon.
5
Go to the atmosphere. Your carbon dioxide atom is used by
organisms in the water for respiration.
6
Go to the atmosphere. Your carbon dioxide atom is used by
organisms in the water for respiration.
The Natural Carbon Cycle
Before Human Interference, About 6,000 Years Ago
DEEP OCEAN
You are currently an atom of carbon in the deep ocean. The deep ocean has little interaction with other parts
of the carbon cycle. However, it is an important carbon sink within the cycle.
If you roll…
Then you …
1
Stay in the deep ocean. Much of the carbon dioxide in the deep
ocean circulates through the ocean and does not interact with the
other sources or sinks of carbon.
2
Stay in the deep ocean. Much of the carbon dioxide in the deep
ocean circulates through the ocean and does not interact with the
other sources or sinks of carbon.
3
Go to surface ocean. Some carbon dioxide in the deep ocean
moves to the surface ocean through the process of upwelling.
4
Go to surface ocean. Some carbon dioxide in the deep ocean
moves to the surface ocean through the process of upwelling.
5
Go to surface ocean. Some carbon dioxide in the deep ocean
moves to the surface ocean through the process of upwelling.
6
Go to animal. An organism in the water has taken you up as food in
the deep ocean.
The Natural Carbon Cycle
Before Human Interference, About 6,000 Years Ago
FOSSIL FUELS
You are currently an atom of carbon synthesized with other atoms in the soil. Fossil fuels are a rich source of
energy that has been created from carbon that has been stored for many millions of years. Since this carbon
has been stored for millions of years, it has little effect on the carbon cycle.
If you roll…
Then you …
1
Stay in the fossil fuels. All of the carbon in fossil fuels is
accumulated.
2
Stay in the fossil fuels. All of the carbon in fossil fuels is
accumulated.
3
Stay in the fossil fuels. All of the carbon in fossil fuels is
accumulated.
4
Stay in the fossil fuels. All of the carbon in fossil fuels is
accumulated.
5
Stay in the fossil fuels. All of the carbon in fossil fuels is
accumulated.
6
Stay in the fossil fuels. All of the carbon in fossil fuels is
accumulated.
The Carbon Cycle
After Human Interference, Present Day
THE ATMOSPHERE
You are currently a molecule of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The atmosphere is a blanket of gases that
surround Earth. Most of these gases, including carbon dioxide, act like a greenhouse. They allow light to pass
toward Earth, but they trap heat before it leaves Earth’s atmosphere. Therefore, these gases are called “Heat
Trapping Gases.” They are very important to life on Earth, but too much of a good thing isn’t always a good
thing…
If you roll…
Then you …
1
Stay in the atmosphere. Much of the carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere circulates through the atmosphere and does not interact
with the other sources or sinks of carbon.
2
Go to plant. You are used by a plant in photosynthesis. The carbon
you provide can be used to create the plant’s structures.
3
Stay in the atmosphere. Much of the carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere circulates through the atmosphere and does not interact
with the other sources or sinks of carbon.
4
Stay in the atmosphere. Much of the carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere circulates through the atmosphere and does not interact
with the other sources or sinks of carbon.
5
Go to surface ocean. About 12% of carbon in the atmosphere is
mixed into the shallow ocean. This carbon dioxide can be used by
photosynthetic algae or stored in the water.
6
Go to plant. You are used by a plant in photosynthesis. The carbon
you provide can be used to create the plant’s structures.
The Carbon Cycle
After Human Interference, Present Day
PLANTS
You are currently a carbon compound in the structure of the plant. The plant has taken you in from the air and
has created carbohydrates through the process of photosynthesis. Some of the carbon is emitted back to the
atmosphere from the plant’s leaves through respiration at times when the plant is not photosynthesizing.
Sometimes, carbon is stored as carbohydrates within the structure of the plant.
If you roll…
Then you …
1
Go to soil. The tree shed its leaves, and you are an atom of carbon
from those dead leaves that enters the soil.
2
Stay in plant. You are a carbon atom in the tree’s trunk, a part that
will not likely be removed or destroyed.
3
Go to animal. The leaves and berries that the plant produced
contain your carbon atom. You will be processed into structures in
the animal that consumed you.
4
Go to atmosphere. Humans have cut down the tree that you are
part of and have used it to create lumber. You were part of the
excess that was burned.
5
Stay in plant. You are a carbon atom in the tree’s branches, a part
that will not likely be removed or destroyed.
6
Go to soil. Humans have cut down the tree that you lived in and left
the part of the stump that you were in to rot in the soil.
The Carbon Cycle
After Human Interference, Present Day
ANIMALS
You are currently a molecule of carbohydrate in an animal. You have been consumed by an animal to help it
grow and develop. The animal can either store you away in its body structures, or release you back to the
atmosphere as it uses the carbohydrate you’re stored in as energy.
If you roll…
Then you …
1
Stay in animal. You are consumed by a predator animal that has a
long life. The carbon atom is stored as fat in the animal.
2
Go to soil. The animal that consumed you died and your carbon
atom is returned to the soil.
3
Go to atmosphere. The animal that consumed you respired
(breathed) you out as carbon dioxide.
4
Stay in animal. You are consumed by a vulnerable prey animal that
is, in turn, consumed by a predator animal. You are stored as
protein in the muscles of the predator.
5
Go to atmosphere. The animal that consumed you respired
(breathed) you out as carbon dioxide.
6
Go to atmosphere. The animal that consumed you respired
(breathed) you out as carbon dioxide.
The Carbon Cycle
After Human Interference, Present Day
SOIL
You are currently a molecule of carbon dioxide in the soil. Once you are here, you generally do not move
around too much and are stored away. If you’re stored long enough, you can join together with other carbon
molecules to create fossil fuels.
If you roll…
Then you …
1
Stay in the soil. Much of the carbon in the soil is stored and does
not interact with the other sources or sinks of carbon.
2
Go to plant. You are used by a plant in photosynthesis. The
carbon you provide can be used to create the plant’s structures.
3
Go to fossil fuels. Your carbon molecule has been in the soil so
long that it binds together with other carbon molecules to create
fossil fuels.
4
Go to the atmosphere. A tiny decomposer uses your carbon atom
as it breaks down the detritus in the soil.
5
Stay in the soil. Much of the carbon in the soil is stored and does
not interact with the other sources or sinks of carbon.
6
Go to the atmosphere. A tiny decomposer uses your carbon atom
as it breaks down the detritus in the soil.
The Carbon Cycle
After Human Interference, Present Day
SURFACE OCEAN
You are currently a molecule of carbon dioxide in the surface ocean. The surface ocean mixes around due to
ocean currents, but does not mix well with the deeper ocean. Most carbon that enters the surface ocean
remains mixed into the surface ocean waters, but can move to different sources or sinks.
If you roll…
Then you …
1
Go to deep ocean. Your carbon atom was part of an ocean
organism that has died and has sunk to the bottom of the ocean.
2
Stay in the surface ocean. Much of the carbon dioxide in the ocean
circulates through the surface ocean and does not interact with the
other sources or sinks of carbon.
3
Go to deep ocean. Your carbon atom was part of an ocean
organism that has died and has sunk to the bottom of the ocean.
4
Stay in the surface ocean. Much of the carbon dioxide in the ocean
circulates through the surface ocean and does not interact with the
other sources or sinks of carbon.
5
Go to the atmosphere. Your carbon dioxide atom is used by
organisms in the water for respiration.
6
Go to the atmosphere. Your carbon dioxide atom is used by
organisms in the water for respiration.
The Carbon Cycle
After Human Interference, Present Day
DEEP OCEAN
You are currently an atom of carbon in the deep ocean. The deep ocean has little interaction with other parts
of the carbon cycle. However, it is an important carbon sink within the cycle.
If you roll…
Then you …
1
Stay in the deep ocean. Much of the carbon dioxide in the deep
ocean circulates through the ocean and does not interact with the
other sources or sinks of carbon.
2
Stay in the deep ocean. Much of the carbon dioxide in the deep
ocean circulates through the ocean and does not interact with the
other sources or sinks of carbon.
3
Go to surface ocean. Some carbon dioxide in the deep ocean
moves to the surface ocean through the process of upwelling.
4
Go to surface ocean. Some carbon dioxide in the deep ocean
moves to the surface ocean through the process of upwelling.
5
Go to surface ocean. Some carbon dioxide in the deep ocean
moves to the surface ocean through the process of upwelling.
6
Go to animal. An organism in the water has taken you up as food in
the deep ocean.
The Carbon Cycle
After Human Interference, Present Day
FOSSIL FUELS
You are currently an atom of carbon synthesized with other atoms in the soil. Fossil fuels are a rich source of
energy that has been created from carbon that has been stored for many millions of years. Since this carbon
has been stored for millions of years, it has little effect on the carbon cycle. That is, until humans disrupt the
cycle…
If you roll…
Then you …
1
Go to atmosphere. Humans have pumped the fuel that you are part
of out of the ground and have used it to power their SUVs. You are
emitted as a waste from the tailpipe.
2
Go to plants. Humans have pumped the fuel that you are part of
out of the ground and have used it to create power at a power plant.
You are emitted as dust from the stack pipe.
3
Go to atmosphere. Humans have pumped the fuel that you are part
of out of the ground and have used it to power their airplanes. You
are emitted as a waste.
4
Go to plants. Humans have pumped the fuel that you are part of
out of the ground and have used it to create power at a power plant.
You are emitted as dust from the stack pipe.
5
Go to atmosphere. Humans have pumped the fuel that you are part
of out of the ground and have used it to power their tractor trailer
truck. You are emitted as a waste from the tailpipe.
6
Go to atmosphere. Humans have pumped the fuel that you are part
of out of the ground and have used it to power their SUVs. You are
emitted as a waste from the tailpipe.